This time of year I get calls from parents and high school seniors who have not started the college process. They are not concerned about how late in college application season it is, they tell me, because they are applying to colleges that have "rolling admissions". My heart sinks when I hear this. Coincidentally, these families are often in lower income brackets.

What these students and parents do not know is that although they may be admitted to a college, they are much less likely at this point to be awarded merit aid.

There is no insurance policy against academic accidents. Occurring most frequently during the freshman year of college, such accidents result in academic probation, suspension and dismissal. Recovery is difficult, expensive and time-consuming.

Like car accidents, student academic failure most often occurs due to inattention, a lack of preparation and inaccurate beliefs about what it takes to succeed. 

Student attention to academic tasks is sometimes hijacked by new freedoms, student over-involvement in campus activities, video games and substance abuse.

Colleges differ greatly in academic support services and academic approaches. Some colleges meet students where they are academically and help them plan courses and course loads that will help them succeed. Some offer review courses to prepare for courses that are a challenge. Colleges that provide such support services are great places for students who are still learning effective study and time management techniques. These colleges also often offer excellent academic advising services and learning labs to help students in areas like mathematics and writing and free tutorial services.